Should No Salute zones exist around exchanges/shoppettes?

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 29 Oct 2014 17:41:58 -0400

Half of the time, between holding my purchases, preparing to don or doff my PC, and reaching out towards the door, I find myself making some awkward adjustment for some Officer that just popped into view. (It's not like you can easily see them coming like you would just walking down the sidewalk).

I'm sure that there are officers that have had similar amounts of awkwardness returning (and offering) salutes.

I think the area immediately 10-meter radius from the door should be no salute zones.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 29 at 2014 5:41 PM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 29 Oct 2014 17:41:15 -0400

This does not disregard verbal greetings and courtesies though

Response by SCPO Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 29 at 2014 5:44 PM

SCPO Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 29 Oct 2014 17:44:50 -0400

I am all for customs and courtesies. But yes you bring up a very good point, probably not a bad idea. On the Navy Yard, the area around Dunkin Donuts and Subway is a no cover no salute zone.

Response by CW5 Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 29 at 2014 5:45 PM

CW5 Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 29 Oct 2014 17:45:19 -0400

1SG Private RallyPoint Member, I like the idea. One problem with this idea - even though I generally like it - is that there could be some "hard-ass" who says you're 11 meters away from the PX and wants to lock your heels for not saluting.

Response by COL Jean (John) F. B. made Oct 29 at 2014 5:53 PM

COL Jean (John) F. B. — Wed, 29 Oct 2014 17:53:50 -0400

I know I am probably in the minority with my view, but I look at that as further erosion of military customs and courtesies.

It is just as much an "inconvenience" on officers as it is on NCOs and soldiers. When you start making exceptions for convenience, that starts the slippery slope.

There is no requirement to salute if you cannot do so because you are carrying items. A verbal greeting is all that is required. The moral... buy a lot of stuff (plus it helps the MWR budget, as some of the PX profits goes to MWR). :-)

However, if you have been around some of the PX and commissaries I have ben around, particularly on payday weekend, they could be declared a combat zone/action... therefore, problem solved. No saluting in combat... :-)

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 29 at 2014 7:35 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 29 Oct 2014 19:35:56 -0400

As COL Burleson stated if you are carrying items there is no requirement to salute the greeting of the day is all you have to do. So I don't think it's really completely necessary, but not a bad idea.

Response by SGM Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 29 at 2014 8:13 PM

SGM Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 29 Oct 2014 20:13:31 -0400

NO! it keeps hands out of my pockets.

Response by 1SG Mike Case made Oct 29 at 2014 8:44 PM

1SG Mike Case — Wed, 29 Oct 2014 20:44:27 -0400

Make the salute. If your hands are full, then give the greeting of the day and drive on. If it is that much of a hassle, wait till after work hours and go in civilians. Like COL Burleson stated, once we start making allowances due to inconveniences, then we might as well as become civilians. If we do it for that one, where do we stop?

Response by MSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 29 at 2014 10:01 PM

MSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 29 Oct 2014 22:01:59 -0400

I would say no! What the heck is so hard about giving a salute. Just because it might be a little inconvenient. We can't expect military customs and courtesies to be changed for someone's convenience or because we think they are to troublesome. If your hands are full all you have to do is give a verbal greeting.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 29 at 2014 10:06 PM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 29 Oct 2014 22:06:00 -0400

I have to be honest and say that I am all for saluting, for the reasons already stated in the responses. I asked this question just to start a discussion because I have heard it mentioned many times before in the course of my career.

I am not a salute dodger or anything like that. I put those types in the same category as those who run inside to avoid the flag.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 29 at 2014 10:11 PM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 29 Oct 2014 22:11:26 -0400

I would make a poll question but I am not sure how those are done here. my rough count of responses so far are about 80% in against the idea

Response by SGT Rodger Armstrong made Oct 29 at 2014 10:56 PM

SGT Rodger Armstrong — Wed, 29 Oct 2014 22:56:10 -0400

One place I've always thought should be no hat no salute zone was the motor pool. Being a wrenches well in the bay under a vehicle here at ease or calling bay to attention I'll admit bumped my head as a young joe. Or commands maintenance days walk to vehicles to inspect or verfy faults. Saluting. Nothing against saluting and not taing it away but just a pain. And the pc is just a pain. I actually had a motor sgt want use to have pc on well under vehicles.